Currently reading: New Mercedes C-class estate to cost from £28k
Larger Mercedes-Benz C-class estate promises more space and a more luxurious interior, with sales starting in September

A bigger, plusher and more practical Mercedes-Benz C-class estate will reach the UK this autumn, and will be priced from £28,055 when it goes on sale.

The fourth-generation estate is the second model to join the new C-class line-up after the saloon, and comes with three engine options at launch. 

The estate has the same striking looks as the saloon but is new from the B-pillars back. At 4702mm, it’s 96mm longer than the model it replaces, with an 80mm longer wheelbase of 2840mm.

The biggest beneficiaries 
of these increased dimensions are the rear passengers. They get 45mm more legroom, as well as extra shoulder, elbow and headroom, thanks to an increase of 40mm in the car’s width (to 1810mm) and a repackaged rear cabin. 

Load capacity is slightly better than it was, too. With the rear seats up, you get 
490 litres of storage (that’s 
a rise of five litres). When 
the seats are folded you get 1510 litres (10 more than before). By way of comparison, a BMW 3-series Touring will store 495 litres with the 
rear seats upright and 1500 with them folded. 

The estate’s rear seats 
have also been made much more versatile. They can be folded in a 40/20/40 split instead of the 60/40 of the previous model, while their backrests can be unlocked 
and folded electrically. 

Access to the load bay is made easier by specifying the tailgate with either an ‘Easy Pack’ function for assisted opening or via a ‘Hands-Free Access’ option. In the latter case, the boot can be opened or closed purely by waving 
a foot under the rear bumper.

Engine options will 
include a 179bhp 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit in the C200 and a 2.1-litre, four-pot turbodiesel giving 168bhp in the C220 Bluetec and 201bhp in the C250 Bluetec. 

Further variants, including a C200 Bluetec and a C300 Bluetec hybid, will go on sale later this year. Drive goes to the rear wheels, while all-wheel drive is an option in some markets, though it won't arrive on UK models until late next year.

The classy interior has 
been borrowed from the 
new saloon, as have the 
configurable driving modes - Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual - which alter certain driving characteristics. A variable steering set-up called Direct Steer is also standard, while the options list includes 
a whole host of advanced driver assistance systems taken from the S-class. 

The new estate uses the same chassis as the saloon, and as such weighs 65kg less than its predecessor. Several suspension options are offered, including standard steel and sportier steel set-ups. Airmatic air suspension is also available - the first time this feature has been seen in the compact executive class. The Airmatic option includes 
a self-levelling feature.

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One all-new feature is the launch of the Mercedes Connect Me services, which connect the driver with 
the car through a SIM card 
in the vehicle, even if they’re not in the car. The services, which will be rolled out 
across the Mercedes range, include the option to look at the fuel tank level remotely and to pre-program the heating system.

Prices start at £28,055 for the C200 petrol model, rising to £30,565 for the C220 Bluetec and £33,220 for the C250 Bluetec. Each model is available in either SE, Sport or AMG Line specification.

Does Mercedes' new C-class saloon lead the compact executive class? Find out in our video review below.

Additional reporting by Darren Moss, 20 June 2014

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Mark Tisshaw

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Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

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winniethewoo 15 July 2014

this is the first Mercedes I

this is the first Mercedes I actually find desirable, not that I would buy one mind, considering their lax attitude towards passive safety.
chrishunt 24 June 2014

Mercedes C class

Before purchasing a car we should first inspect its overall appearance such as; vehicles fuel efficiency, overall performance, design, style, class, economic and space. In Mercedes C class we have found all types of features like attractive interior, big space, better performance and many others.
Smajr 20 June 2014

Same old, same old!

Sadly, yet another overpriced 'prestige' estate with comedy boot space, so as usual it's pay more and you get less.

Mercedes could have given the new C-class estate more boot space, without intruding on E-class territory, but unfortunately, along with the BMW 3-series and Audi A4, what they offer is not enough for my needs.

marj 20 June 2014

Smajr wrote:Sadly, yet

Smajr wrote:

Sadly, yet another overpriced 'prestige' estate with comedy boot space, so as usual it's pay more and you get less.

It's only £1,000 more than my parent's new Golf 1.6D Blue Motion!!!!! I know which i would prefer to go for. The idea of a basic Mercedes and keeping it for 5 years or more is a very satisfying thought indeed for Golf money. I just wish they also had the classic grille option that they do on the continent.